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==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
The culture of Kerelia has evolved over thousands of years, beginning with Tes'Adeara, The New Beginning then continuing on with the Enlightenment period. Historians credit the Age of Enlightenment (when the peoples from Actya and Abaran met) with giving birth to and solidifying a single culture. The core Kerelian belief is that the mind and body are | The culture of Kerelia has evolved over thousands of years, beginning with Tes'Adeara, The New Beginning then continuing on with the Enlightenment period. Historians credit the Age of Enlightenment (when the peoples from Actya and Abaran met) with giving birth to and solidifying a single culture. The core Kerelian belief is that the mind and body are instruments of art and music. The number 64 is used an inordinate amount of times to be a coincidence. It is seen in musical notation, a number of symbols in their language, and art and architecture. When probed on this, most Kerelians simply shrug and say it is a beautiful number. | ||
is used an inordinate amount of times to be a coincidence. It is seen in musical notation, | Their culture puts great focus on the arts, which is often considered a science, particularly artistic expressions of emotion. So-called hard sciences based on mathematics, like physics or engineering, are also valued. | ||
'''Music and Dance''' | '''Music and Dance''' | ||
The music of Kerelia is diverse and rooted deep in its history. Kerelian music separates into two parts: Traditional music, that which [[File:Kerelian_Music.jpg|150px|thumbnail|right|Music Notation]] | The music of Kerelia is diverse and rooted deep in its history. Kerelian music separates into two parts: Traditional Abarian music, that which [[File:Kerelian_Music.jpg|150px|thumbnail|right|Music Notation]], and more modern, combined music by the Actyans. Many compositions have existed for millennia that originated in the Tes'Adears and the Enlightenment Ages. Ironically Kerelians discourage the creation of new genres and instead concentrate on perfecting the perfect relationship between math and music. Music notation is expressed with mathematical models and the use of wavelengths and colours. Every social function or activity on Kerelia, no matter how small, has a musical component. | ||
Dance is considered a lesser form of expression but is not frowned upon. While Kerelians view music as a science, they view dance as entertainment and recreation. | Dance is considered a lesser form of expression but is not frowned upon. While Kerelians view music as a science, they view dance as entertainment and recreation. | ||
Kerelian musical notation is complex and written around a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio golden ratio] spiral. This ensures that the piece is both beautiful to play and read. | |||
'''Meditation''' | '''Meditation''' | ||
It is not uncommon to meditate for up to 3 hours a day. Kerelians practice 3 forms of meditation: | |||
* '''Awareness Meditation''': | * '''Awareness Meditation''': Focussed around awareness of breath, and on external sounds and sensations, usually practised in the morning. Often conducted outside, as there tend to be more things to listen to. | ||
* ''' | * '''Devotional Meditation''': Prayer, for Kerelians, is considered a form of meditation in which one communications with God. It is conducted at a temple, shrine, or altar. | ||
* '''Convergent Meditation''': | * '''Convergent Meditation''': Focussed around the self. On thoughts, emotions, and visualisation. This is the most practised form of meditation on Kerelia, often at the end of the day before bed. It is used to unwind and process the thoughts and events of the day, as well as tackling any internal issues and conflicts the Kerelian might be having. This is always conducted in private or in the vicinity of a highly trusted individual because this is when the meditator is at their most emotionally and mentally vulnerable. Kerelians are, after all, empathic to a degree. | ||
'''Art and Architecture''' | '''Art and Architecture''' | ||
Kerelians | Kerelians believe that the body is a canvas. Children are allowed permanent body art from age 6 and piercings from 9. Both paintings and body art are anti-naturalist. They favour symbolism over realism. Artisans consider sculpting to be simplistic and avoid the art with the exception of architecture, and decorative religious pieces for temples. Often, Kerelians will get a symbolic tattoo for every significant life event they experience. | ||
Kerelian architecture is unique as it is beautiful. Each structure must be approved by the Provincial Board of Music to ensure it meets specific acoustic properties. Each structure design represents musical notation. When all adjacent structures are viewed together from above they represent a | Kerelian city architecture is unique as it is beautiful. Each structure must be approved by the Provincial Board of Music to ensure it meets specific acoustic properties. Each structure design represents musical notation. When all adjacent structures are viewed together from above they represent a musical composition. Each city is named after the composition. There are some architects who are outliers, of course. | ||
'''Language'''[[File:Kerelian1_Language.png|200px|thumbnail|right|Kerelian Language]] | '''Language'''[[File:Kerelian1_Language.png|200px|thumbnail|right|Kerelian Language]] | ||
It is generally accepted that Kerelians have some of the most beautiful voices in the Galaxy. This a result of a unique physiology and an intricate and complex language. It is an extremely precise language with 43 | It is generally accepted that Kerelians have some of the most beautiful voices in the Galaxy. This a result of a unique physiology and an intricate and complex language. It is an extremely precise language with 43 consonants, 13 vowels, and 17 diphthongs. Word stress is placed on the vowels and diphthongs. Nouns in Kerelian are assigned one of five [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_gender grammatical genders], which have no relation to real gender. It is worth noting that there is no future tense - when discussing the future, words should be added like "soon" to differentiate present and future. There is also no implicit plural of nouns and instead, requires a number or words like "many". Dialects largely disappeared due to the Age of Enlightenment and there are six distinct accents originating from the two continents and the 4 major islands. | ||
Most say the voices have a sing song like quality. This is probably attributed to the fact that the language has four [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_(linguistics) tones]. | |||
'''Martial Arts''' | '''Martial Arts''' | ||
[[File:Kerelian_dagger.jpg|200px|thumbnail|left|Cyluin Dagger]]As with most art forms, | [[File:Kerelian_dagger.jpg|200px|thumbnail|left|Cyluin Dagger]]As with most art forms, the Kerelian people have embraced martial arts. Most citizens are trained to some degree in at least 1 form. Martial arts are studied for many reasons. Fitness, self-defense, competition, and mindfulness. The most notable traditions are: | ||
* '''Avyan''':The most common. Avyan is required for school children and most | * '''Avyan''': The most common. Avyan is required for school children and most reach the level of instructor by age 17, and achieve Master status by the age of 25. Traditionally, Avyan is practised after morning meditation. It focuses on using core strength and footwork with powerful movements to throw an attacker off balance. Great focus is placed on breath control and being in sync with one's body, sometimes being treated as a form of meditation itself, and some instructors believe you should flow like water while others believe it should be practised quickly, like fire. That said, there are widespread tournaments and when used for actual combat, it is a highly competitive sport, drawing huge crowds. Avyan used to be far more dangerous before it was modified to be suitable for children, the elderly, and sport. | ||
* '''Blabeta''': Taught only after one has achieved | * '''Blabeta''': Taught only after one has achieved the level of Instructor in Avyan. A highly aggressive style, it believes a good offence is the best defence. It is taught to those in the Orbital Security Forces and Provincial Peace Officers. Known for quick brutal moves, it utilises the whole body as an offensive weapon from elbow strikes to headbutts. It is a particularly dangerous art and has resulted in many injuries, even for those highly trained. Fights between two Blabeta practitioners always promises to be a brutal, explosive event. | ||
* '''Cyluin''': The most difficult and deadly of the arts. | * '''Cyluin''': The most difficult and deadly of the arts, it is what Avyan it was modified. Cyluin is explicitly ''not'' competitive due to a high number of deaths. Its history goes back before the Age of Enlightenment and originated on Actya. It stresses control of self and cunning. It focuses on minimal movement to achieve the greatest effect, with emphasis on controlling your opponent and their balance from the outset. Practitioners train in all kinds of weapons, nerves strikes, poisons, assassination techniques, and more. Furthermore, it is the only martial art on Kerelia which encourages the use of empathic and telepathic abilities in combat. Even Artists of this tradition are respected with high esteem due to the difficulty and time dedication (about 6 years). All of the training is conducted privately and practitioners are encouraged to not speak of it to outsiders. Only those deemed worthy of learning it by an Instructor or higher are allowed to learn, and one must be at least Master in Avyan. They usually train in secret, and when one achieves the level of Master they are adorned with an honoured tattoo, which is added to with each rank after that. Some practitioners devote their entire lives to the art, but ranks above Master are incredibly difficult and may only be given by an Illustrious Master, and ranks above Journey Master must be granted by the Illustrious Grand Master themselves. Practitioners of Cyluin are not allowed to compete in Avyan tournaments. | ||
* '''[[ma:Mok'bara|Mok'bara]]''': A Klingon form of martial arts became popular after Kerelia became a member of the Federation. It has been growing in popularity over the years and may someday overtake Avyan in popularity. Use of the Bat'Leth and | * '''[[ma:Mok'bara|Mok'bara]]''': A Klingon form of martial arts became popular after Kerelia became a member of the Federation. It has been growing in popularity over the years and may someday overtake Avyan in popularity. Use of the Bat'Leth and other Klingon weapons are incorporated into the training. | ||
Ranks of Kerelian martial arts are arranged as such: Apprentice (rank 9-1), then Artist (degrees 1-15). Some ranks of Artist are named and are significant: Instructor (5th degree), Master (10th degree), High Master (11th degree), Great Master (12th degree), Journey Master (13th degree), Grand Master (14th degree), Illustrious Master (15th degree), Illustrious Grand Master (Head of the entire tradition). The final five degrees of Artist are the hardest and in some traditions (such as Cyluin) it can take years to progress even one level. | |||
'''Recreation''' | '''Recreation''' | ||
Kerelians spend | Kerelians spend their leisure with many activities which challenge their physical or mental prowess. They enjoy the challenges of climbing 40km to near orbit to summit of Mt. Aujin, to diving to the depths of the oceans, 29,000m. Many arenas are used for various sporting events. The most popular are, [[ma:Geskana|Geskana]], [[ma:Vajhaq|Vajhaq]], [[ma:Parrises_squares|Parrises Squares]], and [[ma:Karo-Net|Karo-Net]]. In addition to performances in the arts, Kerelians may enjoy leisurely games such as [[ma:Tongo|Tongo]] and [[ma:Three-dimensional_chess|3D Chess]]. Some Kerelians, of course, prefer to simply socialise with others or study. | ||
==Customs and Rituals== | ==Customs and Rituals== | ||